spookylilgirl

I had a few of these little guys a long time ago. A couple of bucks each at the local large chain pet store. They definitely need room to swim and something to hide in or under to feel secure. As much as I want these guys again, I could not keep them in such a set up, no matter how "cute" it is. It would be like keeping your dog in his crate all day.

clark106

I bought a very similar setup for my daughter who adored frogs a few years ago as a gift. To refute a few of the claims here:

* they didn't foul the water like goldfish. You add some spring water as it evaporates and clean it every 3 months.
* Keep the lid with the small hole to reduce escape risk as well as minimize evaporation rate.
* the food supply that came with my kit lasted over 2 years.
* they didn't seem unhappy at all. One was just a more aggressive feeder than the other so we had to be careful to make sure it got some of the food.
* I eventually replaced the smaller plastic tank with a 1/2 gal beta glass bowl to give them a litte more room and make cleaning easier.

I think they would make an excellent cube pet if you took in the right equipment to clean the tank quarterly. And if the office doesn't let the temperature get too extreme on the weekends.

We were surprised at how hardy these were.
My daughter grew older and wanted a different pet so we gave them to a friend with younger children who are still caring for them!!

kanoukakumei

I bought one of these things a long time ago because I didn't do a good enough job looking into the product beforehand. Two days after I set everything up, I went to the pet store and bought the frogs a larger tank. The two frogs were staying dead still in the tiny one, because they didn't have any room to move around. They were much happier in the larger tank.

These small animal habitats are adorable in concept but do not have enough information or materials to really sustain these little guys. The pellet food that they give you is hard for the frogs to eat and digest, and many customers complained that their frog choked and died on the pellets. Not to mention, the plastic box that they give you to house the frogs is so small that it is extremely sensitive to changes in temperature, and any drastic drops will send your frogs into shock.

The idea that you will never have to clean this tank or change the water, which is also something that the manual promotes, is false. To keep clean water maintained in any regular sized tank, partial water changes need to be done about once a week. In this box? It's so small that you should probably do one every day.

Case and point, these frogs cost about 50 cents at your local pet store. You will end up buying a new tank anyway if you want them to be happy. My recommendation is that you steer clear of this product, and if you are really inspired to go buy frogs, just go do some light research and buy the materials yourself. My frogs died of some sort of illness after about a year, but I can guarantee they would have died sooner in this habitat.

absoluttalent

kanoukakumei wrote:I bought one of these things a long time ago because I didn't do a good enough job looking into the product beforehand. Two days after I set everything up, I went to the pet store and bought the frogs a larger tank. The two frogs were staying dead still in the tiny one, because they didn't have any room to move around. They were much happier in the larger tank.

These small animal habitats are adorable in concept but do not have enough information or materials to really sustain these little guys. The pellet food that they give you is hard for the frogs to eat and digest, and many customers complained that their frog choked and died on the pellets. Not to mention, the plastic box that they give you to house the frogs is so small that it is extremely sensitive to changes in temperature, and any drastic drops will send your frogs into shock.

The idea that you will never have to clean this tank or change the water, which is also something that the manual promotes, is false. To keep clean water maintained in any regular sized tank, partial water changes need to be done about once a week. In this box? It's so small that you should probably do one every day.

Case and point, these frogs cost about 50 cents at your local pet store. You will end up buying a new tank anyway if you want them to be happy. My recommendation is that you steer clear of this product, and if you are really inspired to go buy frogs, just go do some light research and buy the materials yourself. My frogs died of some sort of illness after about a year, but I can guarantee they would have died sooner in this habitat.

I have to agree with this.
We bought a kit like this from a local toy store because they promoted it as a "low maintenance pet" and they seemed easy. After getting them home in that little half gallon container they came in, i read up on them a bit more and find out all the info contained in these kits are wrong.

-Ideally, you want about 1 1/2 gallons per frog, but 1 gallon should be minimum.
-The tank doesnt have to be cycled (google "tank cycling") but it really should to help with their overall health.
-They need to be fed once to twice a day, especially if they are younger. The pellets they come with are low quality and float, you are better off getting another package from your local pet store of sinking frog bites, as well as other fare. Mine go crazy over freeze dried Tubifex worms. But bloodwoorms are also good. Ive heard people feeding them nightcrawlers, beefheart, tuna
-Weekly water changes are a must. Or bi-weekly if you are really lazy

This is a sad product. I hate to say dont buy it because the frogs will just be neglected and die cause no one wanted them. But i also hate to say buy it and rescue them because the company should not be paid for such a mean product.

here is another care sheet for them. And remember, these are African Dwarf Frogs, not CLAWED frogs. They will only get to be about 1.5" long
http://www.fishlore.com/fishforum/content/144-care-sheet-african-dwarf-frogs.html

I cannot possibly second this strongly enough. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS PRODUCT!!!

A couple of years ago these poor sad little frogs ("African Dwarf Frogs", to be precise) were being offered in these prison-like cubicles at a number of Hallmark stores - presumably to attract impulse purchases. Yes - live animals being sold in card stores. Geez. There was a MAJOR uproar over it (& PETA wasn't even involved), & the stores quickly ceased & desisted.

Think about it folks - these are not Matchbox cars; they are LIVING CREATURES that deserve a decent environment & optimum care. Truly interested in having these frogs as pets? Take a gander at what you SHOULD provide from just one of many websites devoted to their care:
http://aquaticfrogs.tripod.com/id13.html

I reiterate - please, Please, PLEASE, if you have any sort of conscience at all, DO NOT PURCHASE THIS ITEM.

meganmcgees

I also am absolutely appalled, Woot. I honestly can't believe how anyone there thought this was a good idea. The person who called them "death boxes" was spot on.

If you must buy frogs for your kids, take the time to learn how to properly care for them - you will be teaching your kids a lesson on respecting all living creatures. Then go to a reputable pet store and buy all the proper equipment, along with the frogs. As others have stated earlier, this is just so horrible, please, please do not support this.

hanscarlet

antares008 wrote:I agree.
Also, from the Wikipedia link: " A minimum of two gallons per frog (since they are each around two inches when stretched out) is needed to keep these frogs, as they are very active and need the space to move."

A 4x5x6 inch tank holds what? half a gallon of water?

I agree. Thanks for posting the link. This eco system is like the size of a jail cell for these little frogs, how awful. Maybe if you buy this, put them in a bigger tank.

polidiotic

Buying this product only supports the selling of this product. If it's a bad seller, they'll stop producing it.

These companies do the industry a grand disservice by promoting these ridiculous combo systems and "tank" sizes. They do little to educate the consumer about the care of these animals and the consumers are none the wiser. It's unfortunate.

A pair of ADF requires at least a 5gal tank size - and that's the absolute minimum. The size of this "tank" is ridiculous - .5gal is NOT an aquarium - it's a holding cell and they shouldn't be sold. Nor should "Fish" bowls, for that matter.

Those of you suggesting a Betta, please follow the same advice. The only reason these animals are sold in the manner they are, is because they breathe oxygen from the surface, not the dissolved oxygen in the water. They're not as effected by the Nitrogen cycle as other fish. They can handle more waste/Ammonia, but they still become susceptible to disease, because of it, and will die if not properly taken care of.

You'd be surprised at how active a Betta or an ADF actually is, if kept in proper conditions. I house a Betta in a 20gal Long tank and it utilizes the entire tank... not just a .5gal portion of it. It's actually quite active, when not sleeping.

The only reason your fish/ADF might seem inactive/boring, is because it doesn't have any room to move. It's in a holding pattern, due to the size of the tank.

Please use caution and if you are going to buy this tank, please follow the advice that many are giving... upgrade to at least a 5gal tank. The frogs will thank you, and you'll actually find that the frogs are more interesting, given more room to move around.

Males get about 1" in length, while females get about 2" in length, and depending on the conditions you keep them, they could live for quite a long time.

Here's a good profile on them:
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/profiles/african-dwarf-frog/

Here's info on the Nitrogen Cycle, if you want to do things right:
http://www.kevinbush.com/cycling/

Another thought:

If you want frogs, but don't want the hassle of dealing with cleaning the tank or find them boring after a while, etc, just do the following:

1. Buy a cheap plastic tub from Target (maybe 10-20gal worth).
2. Place it outside in your yard somewhere and fill it up with water (preferably dechlorinated water).
3. Add some aquatic plants and maybe a few rocks.

If doing this in Summer, you'll have frogs making a home in your tub in no time. I had done this in the beginning of Summer, just to grow more aquatic plants for my tanks inside. The plants are doing well, but now I have about 100 tadpoles and an adult frog living in my tubs (I have 3).

Try it... you've got nothing to lose, except for the cost of the tub & a few aquatic plants (try Red Rooted Floaters, Frogbit, Duckweed or even Water Sprite).

I haven't had to take care of anything out there and just re-fill the tubs every now and then, if it hasn't rained in a while. The tubs actually get quite hot, so it's pretty amazing what these tadpoles can handle in terms of temperature. Seems like upwards to 90'F.

meganmcgees

Because their information is so reliable? Here is info from Peta's undercover investigation - such a lovely company -

Employees carelessly grabbed frogs by the handful and pinched their delicate limbs when picking them up for packaging. Bags of "replacement frogs"—shipped to customers whose frogs had died soon after purchase—were thrown carelessly into bins by the dozen.

At the time of PETA's investigation, Wild Creations was preparing and shipping up to 100 "replacement frogs" daily because of the frogs' high mortality rate.

Hundreds of frogs were crammed into uncovered plastic tubs. The unfiltered water grew increasingly murky from excrement and molted skin with each passing day before the frogs were finally removed and packaged. Dr. Phil Bishop, senior lecturer at the University of Otago and chair of the New Zealand Amphibian Specialist Group, stated that these living conditions "would result in high levels of ammonia, which would result in stress and pain on the sensitive skin of the frogs" and that they "are the barest minimum that allow the frogs to be kept alive."

Weeks passed before PETA's investigator—who worked full-time—saw any of the frogs kept at the Wild Creations warehouse being fed. When customers complained of frogs with "leg deformities," a call from Wild Creations to the Madera County, California–based frog breeder Blue Lobster Farms revealed that the frogs were so starved while at Wild Creations that they were chewing on each other's legs, causing wounds, infections, and, eventually, rot and loss of limbs.

No training in basic amphibian health assessment was provided to employees. As a result, live frogs were mistaken for dead ones and sick or injured frogs were thrown into the trash instead of being quarantined and given veterinary care or being humanely euthanized.
Frogs suspected of being sick were mistakenly shipped to customers instead of being properly quarantined, as were frogs who were plucked from tubs containing the bloated, fungus-covered remains of decomposing frogs.

In addition to the mistreatment and neglect that Wild Creations employees inflicted on the frogs at the company's supply house, there are other problems:

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified more than 200 people, most of whom are children, in 41 states who were exposed to a unique strain of salmonella that was traced to Wild Creations' frog supplier, Blue Lobster Farms in California. In April 2011, the California Department of Public Health sent an urgent notice to pet stores and distributors of "aquatic pets" urging vendors to "immediately discontinue distribution and sale of these frogs" and asking that vendors share the memo with customers who may have purchased these animals.

Wild Creations supervisors confirmed that an estimated 180 shipped frogs froze to death because employees failed to include heat packs with the shipment.

Wild Creations owner Peter Gasca, while training salespeople at an exhibition booth, cautioned against leading customers to question how long frogs would survive and discouraged "pitching" the "seven-day warranty" that's advertised with the "ecosystems." Gasca provided his salespeople with a net to scoop out frog "casualties" and instructed them, with regard to customers who voice concerns for the frogs' welfare, "'It's a completely safe environment for the frogs.' That's all you need to tell them."

giolee88

BooferFTW wrote:I LOVED my little dwarf claw frogs! I choose them over a beta any day. ALWAYS keep the lid on the aquarium! You clean the tank much like you would a beta's bowl. I had them on my shelf by my desk in my bedroom. I think they would make a great cubicle pet. I didn't have this exact set-up though. I'm not an expert on this subject, but I'm in for one myself.

As for what happened to my old frogs, my evil roommate opened the lid and let the frogs out in our house while I was at work, and her dog ate them. This was years ago, and have an evil-free household now.

african dwarf frogs are decent pets, but african clawed frogs (similar, if you're not paying attention), are an invasive species.

These suckers can live a long long time. Buy a bigger tank when they get any longer than 1" long.

bryanrshaw

I had a lower rent version of this a decade ago and every so often, I would take the frog out (it only had one), put him in a bowl with a lid while I quickly cleaned it. The smell was very minimal. This one looks to need less cleaning than my old one did as the rocks are claimed to be living and help to clean it. When my frog food ran out years back, I got some tiny dried shrimp at a pet store and used that. My last frog like this lived for years. I'm considering this deal myself because of the fond memories (and I was not then, nor am I now) a child.

lalaclassic wrote:Seriously thinking about buying this. Does anyone know how you clean them and if they smell? Would they make a good cubicle pet?

I was thinking about getting a beta, but these are so much neater. What do you feed them?

keeyoh

Maybe I'm a bad person, but I have no problem keeping these little guys in their little tank on my desk at work. I had a set like this awhile ago...I "adopted" them from a coworker who was leaving and didn't want to take them with. They're pretty low maintenance, ate the little pellet food just fine, and swam around in their little box. I don't recall hearing anguished cries of suffering due to their extreme confinement, but they are little frogs, so maybe their screams of pain and terror were just so low-pitched human ears couldn't detect it.

Anyway, I accidentally killed them changing their water one day. I used the wrong kind of water (I think you're supposed to use bottled water and I used tap water). I kind of felt bad about that. But looking at this thread, it looks like I might have done them a favor and put them out of their agonizing misery.

schusters

We have a 10 gallon tank. Once upon a time, it had 2 African Clawed Frogs -- which our local pet store mistakenly told us were African Dwarf Frogs. We learned the truth because 1) we had an albino, which Dwarf Frogs cannot be and 2) because the frogs were growing pretty large.

Sadly, one frog escaped and died. The albino got to be several inches, and lived several years.

When he died naturally, we did not put frogs in the tank again because we wanted Dwarfs, but couldn't find them in our local pet stores (either none in stock, or still mistakenly selling Clawed as Dwarfs). We added more fish instead.

About a year later, we found one of these Wild Creations frog aquariums in a Hallmark store. We missed having frogs, didn't have room in our 10-gallon anymore, and thought, "Why not?"

Bad idea.

We had followed the instructions with weekly water changes and recommended feeding. We added different types of food (shrimp, worms, etc.) when it seemed the frogs got bored of the pellets and stopped eating them. We sought advice from different pet stores, and all agreed that 1) two frogs in that space is overcrowded and 2) an unfiltered and unheated tank is unhealthy. In the end, we went through 4 snails and 4 frogs within 9 months before completely giving up on it.

The Clawed frogs are definitely the hardier species but they can get to be fist-sized; we saw them this size in a live museum exhibit once.

The Dwarf frogs are more sensitive, and require a lot more care and space than this "ecosystem" implies. This is not the right environment for them.

lstaff

The other option for your desk would be to get a little tank like this and NOT put anything live into it. Seriously, the office across the hall got a small fishtank, very colorfully appointed, with a seemingly good filter, and every type of fish they put into it (all bought from a reliable pet store). Finally they decided to just stop putting fish in it. It is still colorful (gravel, plants) and looks great!!!!
Just another option for your desk.

dkalecki

My son has these little frogs (for about 4 months now) and they have never, EVER given us the finger. As happy as I assumed they were, I think I'll head out today and get them a bigger tank and maybe a nice pirate ship to hang out in.

iluvmyritz

It brings joy to my heart to read so many comments of people concerned for the welfare of these frogs. I live in Georgia and most people here wouldn't think twice about the living conditions, health or happiness of the frogs. To read these comments gives me hope for the human race (and also makes me want to move to another state). :-)

ceagee

This is a lifetime commitment and much more is needed then this "habitat" it is sold with.
My niece got a tadpole of this type of frog over 20 years ago. She nurtured him into a full grown frog. He is still alive and well !
He lives in a glass fish aquarium. She does not have any stones in the tank as they can hurt his skin. The fact that it shows stones in these small tanks is a red flag for they don't know how to care for these frogs. The water can't be too deep or too shallow and it must be distilled water. He eats special food, and you have to be careful not to overfeed him.
She has taken stellar care of him.
I have had the privilege of frog sitting when she has had to be away from home.
He has survived several escapes ( yes he has always had a strong lid on the tank)
Once while visiting, even though he was kept in a no cats allowed room. One snuck in and knocked his tank ( yes a heavy glass tank ) on the floor in an attempt to get him.
He is smart and sings (more like a hum ) which can be annoying or keep you awake if you are sound sensitive.
I like his singing.
We all have grown to love this darned frog over the years. He is one cool frog.
BUT he does require appropriate care.
If you decide to buy ( which through the conditions of this deal I would not recommend. Sorry Woot. This is not deal.Especially not for the frog ) be ready for a long term commitment and to put some time and energy into your frog. Frogs are living, sensitive creatures. Treat them accordingly.

ceagee

dkalecki wrote:My son has these little frogs (for about 4 months now) and they have never, EVER given us the finger. As happy as I assumed they were, I think I'll head out today and get them a bigger tank and maybe a nice pirate ship to hang out in.

That sounds wonderful. When picking out that ship, please don't get anything that has any points or jags on it. These frogs have sensitive skin that can tear easily.
My niece --- who has 20+ yo she raised from a tadpole-- puts toys in his tank, but they are always smooth.

iluvmyritz

ceagee wrote:This is a lifetime commitment and much more is needed then this "habitat" it is sold with.
My niece got a tadpole of this type of frog over 20 years ago. She nurtured him into a full grown frog. He is still alive and well !
He lives in a glass fish aquarium. She does not have any stones in the tank as they can hurt his skin. The fact that it shows stones in these small tanks is a red flag for they don't know how to care for these frogs. The water can't be too deep or too shallow and it must be distilled water. He eats special food, and you have to be careful not to overfeed him.
She has taken stellar care of him.
I have had the privilege of frog sitting when she has had to be away from home.
He has survived several escapes ( yes he has always had a strong lid on the tank)
Once while visiting, even though he was kept in a no cats allowed room. One snuck in and knocked his tank ( yes a heavy glass tank ) on the floor in an attempt to get him.
He is smart and sings (more like a hum ) which can be annoying or keep you awake if you are sound sensitive.
I like his singing.
We all have grown to love this darned frog over the years. He is one cool frog.
BUT he does require appropriate care.
If you decide to buy ( which through the conditions of this deal I would not recommend. Sorry Woot. This is not deal.Especially not for the frog ) be ready for a long term commitment and to put some time and energy into your frog. Frogs are living, sensitive creatures. Treat them accordingly.

BooferFTW

These suckers can live a long long time. Buy a bigger tank when they get any longer than 1" long.

I apologize, I retract the 'claw ' in the dwarf frogs. We have had both African Dwarf Frogs, and we have owned one African Claw Frog. I got carried away with my excitement in typing and made a mistake. Thanks for pointing this out. Our African Claw Frog was kept in a large aquarium. I am not sure how large the aquarium was, but it required a stand of it's own . His body was the size of my fist, and he ate little tiny feeder fish or frozen blood worms. TOTALLY different. (Also my hubby was the primary caretaker of the frog so he knows all the important technical stuff. I was just the helper)
The African Dwarf frogs I had years ago thrived well in their small tank on my shelf. I am not an expert at all though (obviously) but my little tank was much larger than the measurements of this tank woot is advertising. It was large enough that they could swim and hide.

I saw this deal as a great opportunity to get an all in one kit for some adorable ADFs. Now that I know more, I feel like I've been bamboozled slightly. But alas, munch on me for making an impulse purchase. Lesson learned, and I'm keeping everything.
At least I have a little tank to put the ADF's in when I'm cleaning what will be the proper sized and accessorized habitat for them. I'm out a small chunk of change, but hopefully I will have rescued two lil' guys and they can enjoy the proper habitat I will provide for them when they arrive. Maybe they will reward me for rescuing them by performing a lovely water ballet or synchronized swim routine.

But if we don't buy the frogs, they'll have to be released back into the wild, and then the insect population shall decline, causing a chain reaction that shall ultimately lead to the extinction of millions of intergalactic space-whales, whose consciousness is solely responsible for the cohesion of the entire universe.

lindseypoo555

I am very upset to see this being sold on here. These "EcoAquariums" are inhumane and are just a sales gimmick for people who dont know any better or are too lazy to take good care of the animals. African Dwarf frogs can SURVIVE in something that small, but they will not THRIVE and be HAPPY. I wont even go into how gravel does not "filter" and how the stagnant filthy water breeds salmonella. There are many problems with these cube aquariums, but that doesnt mean African Dwarf Frogs are not fine pets to have. If you are going to have an animal though, at least do your research so you can take of it properly. http://www.mypetsmart.com/care-guides/fish/african-dwarf-frog/did-you-know.shtml

UtilityCow

I had a couple of these when I was a kid (not at the same time). One committed suicide by jumping out of the aquarium when I had the top open. I fed mine the dried blood worm cubes I think. They are a little cooler than fish in my opinion. They do need more water, but this will get you through the tadpole stage. Excellent gift for your introvert nerd child who likes to watch ants.

lindseypoo555

PDF from Petco on how to take care of them. Looks like you don't have to change the water that often. I'm guessing it is because they breathe air.

[MOD: Changed it to a direct link]

You dont have to change the water that often when they are in the right size tank. They need a minimum of 5 gallons to be happy and ideally 10 gallons (as even stated on the link you posted). These cubes have been around for years as the perfect little tank that doesnt need maintenance, but its all lies to get you to buy it. The frogs never last more than a year or two and they are supposed to live ten years. Its more like a slow painful death really. Most of those companies even tell you to only feed them a couple of times a week, when they should be fed at least once a day.

giolee88

ceagee wrote:This is a lifetime commitment and much more is needed then this "habitat" it is sold with.
My niece got a tadpole of this type of frog over 20 years ago. She nurtured him into a full grown frog. He is still alive and well !
He lives in a glass fish aquarium. She does not have any stones in the tank as they can hurt his skin. The fact that it shows stones in these small tanks is a red flag for they don't know how to care for these frogs. The water can't be too deep or too shallow and it must be distilled water. He eats special food, and you have to be careful not to overfeed him.
She has taken stellar care of him.
I have had the privilege of frog sitting when she has had to be away from home.
He has survived several escapes ( yes he has always had a strong lid on the tank)
Once while visiting, even though he was kept in a no cats allowed room. One snuck in and knocked his tank ( yes a heavy glass tank ) on the floor in an attempt to get him.
He is smart and sings (more like a hum ) which can be annoying or keep you awake if you are sound sensitive.
I like his singing.
We all have grown to love this darned frog over the years. He is one cool frog.
BUT he does require appropriate care.
If you decide to buy ( which through the conditions of this deal I would not recommend. Sorry Woot. This is not deal.Especially not for the frog ) be ready for a long term commitment and to put some time and energy into your frog. Frogs are living, sensitive creatures. Treat them accordingly.

It's nice to know that people out there take care of pets like these responsibly. Even normal goldfish live for more than a dozen years, if well cared for.

kattykathy

I got two of these to put the frogs in my larger fish tank that I have already and use the tanks as decoration in my cube at work... I am just wondering if/when we will get tracking numbers on them since I live in FL and don't want FedEx to deliver them before noon and me not get to the box till after dinner...

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